helped Tauran onto the cot, then helped him back up a minute later when Tauran’s stomach threatened to invert itself. Kalai was impeccable, hair windswept and cheeks rosy from the sea air, and Tauran wished he’d been in a state to enjoy the pretty sight of him. Kalai was as at ease at sea as he was anywhere else, be it a foreign city, the top floor of a crumbling tower, or on the back of a dragon, a level of grace and adaptability Tauran could only admire and envy.
Compared to Kalai, Tauran felt like a mangy street dog.
On the evening of the second day, when the captain stuck his head below to announce Sharoani’s shores were in sight, Tauran was just about ready to kiss the man. Even the knowledge that two days of torture was soon to end seemed to lessen his nausea, and he ascended the narrow ladder above deck, both to get some fresh air and to enjoy the sight of his impending salvation.
The view was much sweeter than he expected. The water cut the sun in half, the sea and the sky flowing into each other in vibrant hues of red, pink and orange. Higher up, purple clouds shone with golden fringes, soft and fluffy. He knew from experience how spectacular a sight it would be from the back of a dragon. How thrilling the feeling of soaring over the water’s surface, dipping the tip of a wing in the golden mirror and watching it spray into the air like sparks. For a brief moment, painful longing replaced Tauran’s nausea.
“We’re almost there.” Kalai’s voice drew Tauran’s attention from one wonder to another. Kalai stood by the prow, in only loose trousers and a dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up, the colors of the sunrise making his skin glow gold. His slightly too-long hair blew about his face, framing his cheekbones, and Tauran wondered for a moment if it was possible to fall in love with a person twice. The urge to draw him in and kiss him was almost overwhelming, but it felt like an awful crime for him to even lay a finger on Kalai while Tauran himself was so unpresentable.
Kalai smiled. “You look better.”
“On a scale of undead to standing upright, I guess you could say so,” Tauran said, finding a spot near Kalai to sit.
“It’s really not as bad as you think.”
“You haven’t smelled my armpits,” Tauran said, darkly.
Kalai gave him a level stare. “Actually, I have.”
Groaning loudly, Tauran hid his face in his hands. “Honestly, if you run for the hills the moment we make land, I won’t hold it against you.”
Kalai’s chuckle was soft. “How about we rent a place to sleep tonight? Somewhere with a bath.” He stroked Tauran’s jaw. “You could do with a shave while we’re at it.”
Tauran made a soft sound, melting into Kalai’s touch the way Arrow always did. By now, Tauran was certain Kalai had magic hands. “Yes, please,” he murmured, gazing up at Kalai, who looked back at him with a fond smirk, betraying he knew exactly what his touch did to Tauran.
* * *
It was dark by the time The Grasshopper docked. Kalai took it upon himself to lead the horse on land, so Tauran could get off first. Tauran had heard the story of how the first Kykarosi made land at the south shores of the Terror Marshes after a thousand days at sea, many times. He’d always thought the description of the travelers sinking to their knees and kissing the soggy moss a bit too dramatic, but at the first feeling of hard earth under Tauran’s boots, he understood.
A few people going to and from the gangways gave him odd looks as he stood with his arms spread, slack-jawed and breathing deep. The sound of hooves on wood made him turn. Kalai looked like a prince returned home, striding down the gangway with the mare at his side. Tauran knew how hard the last few weeks had been for him. In the golden harbor lights, he looked perfectly at ease, if a little tired.
Kalai smiled. “How’s your stomach? Do you think you can eat something?”
“So long as it ain’t fish, I’ll give it an honest try.” Tauran folded a hand over his stomach. It had yet to completely settle, but below the nausea it felt painfully empty.
“Welcome to Genchira.” Kalai led them down the main street to a place they could stable the horse for the night.
The town was